'The Beacon of Ranam,' a new slogan to guide the North Korean economy in the 21st century, is being promulgated through the length and breadth of North Korea. The slogan originated at Ranam Mining Machinery Integrated Business Establishment located in Ranam, North Hamgyong Province, when Kim Jong Il visited it on his way home from his official tour of Russia last August, to see the revolutionary military spirit and determination to accomplish tasks by all means, which workers there have allegedly displayed.

It was on November 2 that the North advocated 'The Beacon of Ranam.' In a full-front-page editorial that day, the Rodong Shinmun, the organ of the Workers' Party, noting that "the Beacon of Ranam symbolizes our style of struggle and continuous revolution," stressed, "when we advance hoisting the Beacon of Ranam high, we will be able to progress higher and speedier in the new century with our ideologies, our system and our policies." "The model established in Ranam offers an example of the struggle ethos and work attitude that our people must display in advancing into the new century," added the daily. "The entire country and all the people should positively respond to The Beacon of Ranam and follow Ranam's worker class."

Spearheaded by the Rodong Shinum's editorial, 'The Beacon of Ranam' drive is spreading across the country. On the following day, November 23, employees of Ranam Mining Machinery Integrated Business Establishment, the origin of the drive, held a rally and called for fulfilling this year's economic tasks. A series of rallies followed at small and large factories, business establishments and cooperative farms - among them Kim Chaek Steel Integrated Business Establishment in Chongjin, North Hamgyong; Sunchon Area Mine Integrated Business Establishment in Sunchon, South Pyongan; Musan Mine Integrated Business Establishment in Musan, North Hamgyong; Yongsong Machinery Integrated Business Establishment in Hamhung, South Hamgyong; Hwanghae Steel Integrated Business Establishment in Songnim, North Hwanghae; Pyongyang Textile Plant in Pyongyang; and Oguk Cooperative Farm in Anak, South Hwanghae. Such rallies are expected to sweep across the country until early next year in efforts to double workers' efforts and renovate production.

Major dailies including the Rodong Shinum and the Democratic Korea are carrying features and commentaries about "The Beacon of Ranam" day in and day out. In addition, broadcasting stations such as the Korea Central Broadcasting Station, Korea Central TV Station and Radio Pyongyang air special programs including responses by party and administration leaders, heating up the atmosphere by discussing the backgrounds of the new slogan and its significance. Artists and writers are also playing a role in the endeavor.

'The Beacon of Ranam,' however, does not appear to be distinctively different in contents from similar drives of the past like 'The Spirit of Kanggye' and 'The Beacon of Songgang.' Why then has the North launched the new drive? It may have judged that the existing slogans have lost their appeal to the population. With the 6-year-long 'Hardship March' campaign concluded last year, North Korean authorities seem to have come up with the new slogan with a view to renewing the atmosphere, North Korea watchers in the South speculate.

(Kim Kwang-in, kki@chosun.com )